Operation Shield Postponed in Chandigarh and Other Border States Amid Administrative Concerns

Operation Shield Postponed : The much-anticipated civil defence exercise “Operation Shield,” initially scheduled for May 29, 2025, has been officially postponed in Chandigarh and several other states bordering Pakistan. The decision comes in light of administrative reasons cited by the concerned authorities.

Originally, the Ministry of Home Affairs had planned to conduct the drill across key border states including Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This was part of a broader strategy to bolster civilian preparedness in the aftermath of heightened tensions following India’s military offensive, Operation Sindoor.

Operation Shield was designed to simulate emergency scenarios such as blackouts, air raid sirens, mass evacuations, and civil awareness campaigns—key measures aimed at equipping citizens for potential wartime contingencies. However, as per recent statements from the state governments of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir, the exercise has now been deferred. Officials have assured that a revised date will be announced soon.

Civil Defence Exercise "Operation Shield" which was planned to be held on 29th May 2025 in states bordering Pakistan postponed due to administrative reasons in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Chandigarh too postpones the Exercise.

Haryana Govt requests state officials to plan and… pic.twitter.com/Ppp2JnfxP7

— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025

Chandigarh too has confirmed the postponement of its scheduled drills, aligning with the nationwide decision. The Haryana government has also urged district-level officials to revisit and revise their preparedness plans, indicating a renewed focus on administrative and logistical coordination before the drills can be carried out effectively.

This development follows the first-ever nationwide civil defence drill conducted on May 7, just before the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor. That initiative was a strategic military response to the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 civilians lost their lives.

Operation Sindoor marked a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism stance. The Indian Air Force launched coordinated pre-dawn airstrikes targeting nine major terrorist hubs across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes reportedly neutralized over 100 terrorists, prompting a series of retaliatory skirmishes along the western front.

Between May 9 and 10, Indian forces carried out targeted attacks on 13 Pakistani air bases and military installations. The cross-border hostilities culminated in a ceasefire agreement reached late on May 10, restoring temporary calm along the border.

Meanwhile, internal assessments conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted key gaps in the civil defence infrastructure across 244 vulnerable districts. In response, directives issued on May 9 called for urgent remedial actions, including upgrades to emergency communication systems, public drills, and training for first responders.

While the postponement of Operation Shield may cause temporary delays, officials have reiterated their commitment to enhancing civil preparedness. The drills, once rescheduled, are expected to play a critical role in ensuring civilian safety and resilience in the face of modern security threats.